Another Americanism, 'Reached Out'.

[sandyRoe]

Something I read this morning, 'The Independent has reached out to...'.
Would 'contacted', or 'approached ', be more in keeping with English usage?

[dannyk13]

Mainly US but also in English usage.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/reach-out-to-sb

[grumpy01]

Our son lives and works in the U.S.A. and is married to an American lady.Although his Gloucestershire accent is still the same we notice when we Skype how Americanisms have crept into his vocabulary.

[bobbinwales]

Some over use it on the radio but to me it seems there using it to mean a bit more than just'contacted', there trying to say there were differences in thinking or culture that there trying to overcome -build a bridge- and have a meaningful conversation where you listen carefully to what there saying and try to see there point of view before resolving.
Or sometimes its just trying to sound woke or intelectual or deep

[roopower]

I hate that. If I need to have an online chat with a company the person I'm 'speaking' to invariably thanks me for reaching out to them.

[Mozz71]

Wjen did the Four Tops record Reach Out (I'll Be There)? 1964? '65? It's hardly a new term.

[barry1010]

Hate it

[douglas9401]

Wait, what? :-)

[pixie374]

As mozz says, it isn't new, but it used to be more of an emotional thing. It's quite cringey when a company says "thanks for reaching out to us", as if you have rung them in tears complaining your life isn't working lol. "Contacting us" would be more appropriate.

[THECORBYLOON]

MOZZ, the lyrics are, "Reach out, reach out for me
I'll be there, with a love that will shelter you"

That suggests more of a physical reaching out rather than a simple communication.

[237SJ]

To me, Reach Out means asking for help. As if I am in some sort of inferior position and I need help from someone stronger than me. It's the latest fad term. I buy my tea from here https://morgansbrewtea.co.uk/ Note the 'Contact Us' button

[ludwigvan]

The Mail seems to be using “Double Down” in nearly every story,I don’t know if it’s even an Americanism, journalistic standards seem to be getting constantly worse. Rant over.

[Mozz71]

I disagree TCL. To me it means more along the lines of "if you need anything, just give me a call", albeit probably in a romantic sense (it was 60s soul afterall).

I think of it as being similar to Bill Withers' Lean On Me in that sense.

[ludwigvan]

If many more of these old songs get mentioned I’ll be getting my flares,tank top and platforms down from the loft.

[THECORBYLOON]

The "reach out" is a indication that aid is required not that you want an answer to a question.

[Mozz71]

My point remains though TCL, it's hardly a new term.

[Paigntonian]

Can't stand 'passed' for die.

[Paigntonian]

And where were we going before we were 'going forward'?

[THECORBYLOON]

MOZZ, it's a common phrase in America and elsewhere but not here, hence its being discussed.

[The Builder]

A friend of mine told me that his mother used to think that the word "retch" was pronounced "reach".
(God knows what she made of the film "Reach for the Sky".)

Even now, hearing of someone "reaching out" still makes me queasy. ;o)